
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) – “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Welcome to The Issues Podcast (formerly the Dear Church Podcast). Pastors Martin Wickens and Stephen Russ, along with special guests, get to the heart of the real issues that matter. With a burden to stir your heart and challenge your thinking, they dive into key topics within the Independent, Fundame... more
| Publishes | Monthly | Episodes | 112 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Religion & Spirituality | |||

In this special episode of The Issues Podcast, host Martin Wickens sits down with church planters Marty Montgomery and Josh Levesque during the missions conference at Bedford Bible Church.
Through personal testimonies, practical insights, and honest... more
In this episode of the Issues Podcast, Stephen and Martin unpack what true spiritual leadership looks like from 1 Corinthians 4, addressing why it is often misunderstood in today’s churches and why fewer young men seem willing to step into leadership... more
In this episode, we sit down and walk through Job 31 together, unpacking Job’s final defense and what it reveals about true integrity.
As the conversation develops, we explore how Job invites his entire life to be examined from his thought life and ... more
In this episode of The Issues Podcast, Stephen Russ and Martin Wickens respond to the disturbing church invasion in Minnesota and explore what it means to protect religious liberty, uphold lawful protest, and remain faithful to Christ in a hostile cu... more
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Looking for an independent fundamental Baptist podcast that is godly, Biblical, and doesn’t bash other baptists just because they are part of another “camp” of Independent Baptists, then look no further than the Issues Podcast. If I were to describe in one word what it is like to listen to these three men discuss issues, it would be the word “refreshing.”
I appreciate this podcast for its practicality and thoughtfulness. Although it is easy to tell that each pastor does not think exactly like each other, they are still able to talk through issues in a thoughtful way and arrive at sensible conclusions that do not contradict the Bible, but apply it. Also, it is entertaining!
To Tom Brennan, Martin Wickens, and Stephen Russ,
I’ve listened to every episode of The Issues Podcast, and I just want to say thank you. Your discussions have challenged me to think more deeply about my faith and have pushed me to be more intentional in studying the Word of God. You’ve helped me see things from perspectives I hadn’t considered before, not just to hear another point of view but to truly examine everything through Scripture. This podcast has also led me to other valuable resourc... more
I go to the same church as the Russo brothers and yes, they really do love brother Wickens!
Brother Russ does not exaggerate. We love Brother Wickens!
-The Russo brothers
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.








Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Engaging deeply with the complexities of modern Christian life, this podcast explores a range of significant topics particularly relevant to the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. Through open conversations, the hosts address pressing social and theological issues, offering insights on subjects such as church dynamics, biblical translations, and the nature of revival. Listeners can expect a thoughtful examination of how faith interplays with contemporary culture, while emphasizing the importance of biblical grounding in discussions. The conversational approach, often featuring guests with unique expertise, adds depth and encourages listeners to grapple with crucial issues of faith and practice.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Issues Podcast:
1. Enjoying the Journey
2. All Things Baptist
3. The Briefing with Albert Mohler
4. I Believe the Book Podcast
5. Preach the Bible: Classics
The Issues Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 112 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on The Issues Podcast include:
1. Marty Montgomery
2. Josh Levesque
3. Joe Shakour
4. Micah Still
5. Sam Brennan
6. Dr. Alton Beal
7. Dave Knopfsinger
8. Jeff Jones
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